Chicago School Board Elections Heat Up with Big Money and Negative Campaigns

As Chicago prepares for its first-ever school board elections, massive spending and aggressive tactics dominate the race, highlighting deep divisions over the future of public education.

• Campaign contributions from both Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and charter school advocates have reached millions, fueling intense competition for the school board seats.
• Negative mailers have become a central strategy, with CTU accusing opponents of aligning with Donald Trump's Project 2025, despite candidates' longstanding Democratic affiliations.
• Charter-aligned groups and CTU are leveraging national political issues, such as Trump's agenda, in local school board races, sparking criticism from candidates about misleading tactics.
• The election's outcome will not immediately alter policy direction, as the current mayor, a former CTU organizer, retains significant control over the Chicago Public Schools.
• The debate over campaign funding and influence in these elections underscores broader tensions between union-backed and school-choice proponents in shaping Chicago's educational landscape.

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